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Balvenie is an iconic Scottish distillery located in the Speyside, part of William Grant & Sons. The distillery is one of the last to have a malting floor (see picture below), and has released wonderful single malt whiskies overtime. The event of November 7th, 2017 was showcasing some of the newest and best bottles of their range. It was taking place at the Malt Lounge, situated in Colonia, NJ. The guests were honored by the presence of Gemma Paterson, a Balvenie US Brand Ambassador. She presented the whiskies tasted that evening with passion and expert views. A five-course meal was coming along, allowing to enjoy whisky and food together. Gemma Paterson proudly holding a 40-year old bottle of Balvenie, displayed in the lounge and carefully taken from the shelf by Richard, Malt Lounge’s owner. The whiskies presented are coming from the work of Patrick Stewart, the famous master blender at William Grant & Sons, who has been working at Balvenie for 55 years. TASTING: Balvenie 12 YO single Barrel First Fill, 47.8%: Image by www.thebalvenie.com MAKE: It is matured in first-fill bourbon casks from Kentucky for at least 12 years. This is a limited edition with 350 bottles made from a single cask. NOSE: Honey is coming fast among a general sweetness. Vanilla and spices notes. PALATE: Vanilla, with some hints of cooked fruits (cherry plum), pepper and citrus notes. FINISH: Long, fruity (coco and red berries) AWARD: Gold Outstanding medal at the 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition, category Scotch Single Malt – Speyside MY TAKE: A very rich whisky with a nice and lingering finish. Don’t hesitate to add a few drops of water to better feel the aromas. A very good starter for the evening.   Balvenie 14 YO, Carribean cask, 43%: Image by www.thebalvenie.com   MAKE: After maturation in traditional oak casks, the spirit has finished its maturation in Caribbean rum casks to add some tropical notes. NOSE: Exotic fruit (mango and passion fruit) is coming with some caramel. PALATE: The vanilla comes with notes of exotic fruits with a hint of orange in the background. FINISH: Soft wit vanilla, rather short. AWARD: Gold Outstanding medal at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition, category Scotch Single Malt – Speyside MY TAKE: A nice whisky with tropical hints. Could be associated with chocolate.   Balvenie 14 YO Peat Week, 48.3%: Image by www.thebalvenie.com   MAKE: Matured in American oak as of 2002. It is made of 100% peated barley coming from the highlands. The name “week” comes from the batch that is created the last week before closure. This release is only available in US/UK and Sweeden. The spirit is lighly peated (5ppm) NOSE: Peat is light, and fruity (peach) notes are coming. PALATE: The peat is coming lightly, with the peach and some honey FINISH: Medium, a bit creamy AWARD: Gold Outstanding medal at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition, category Scotch Single Malt – Speyside MY TAKE: A cool curiosity from Balvenie, worth trying, but don’t expect the typical peat from Islay.   Balvenie 21 YO Portwood, 40%: Image by www.thebalvenie.com   MAKE: Matured in traditional American oak for 21 years, then finished in vintage port casks that have hosted Port wine for 30 years. The wood is full of the flavors of the wine. NOSE: The wood comes first very strong, with spices and ripe grapes PALATE: Very well balanced, nice and easy in the mouth, sweet with sherry and ripe peach notes and candied fruits; grapes comes as well. FINISH: Long, a bit dry, with fruity notes with hints of nuts and barley AWARD: Gold medal at the 2015 Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business), category Speyside Single Malts 19-30 yo MY TAKE: Very well balanced and refined whisky, to enjoy in a warm and quiet atmosphere.   Balvenie TUN 1509, Batch 4, 51.7%: Image by www.thebalvenie.com MAKE: The art of blending. David Stewart has selected old casks from the distillery, all containing a different and rare expression of a Balvenie whisky. He has married the content of 13 traditional American oak barrels and 10 European oak sherry butts at a secret proportion. They were transferred in a Tun, a huge 252-gallon barrel, the Tun 1509, and let quiet for several months to ensure a perfect blending. Released mid 2017. NOSE: Rich, with caramel, vanilla and honey notes. PALATE: a great mouthfill, very balanced. Candied fruits and spices (ginger, cinnamon, pepper), the honey is still there. FINISH: nice and lingering with honey and oak. MY TAKE: Last but not least, this whisky is the fourth release of its kind (batch 4). It is rather close to the batch 2 for the lucky ones who could experience it; it is an exceptional whisky to taste  quietly and to enjoy at length. It carries the deep knowledge, experience and soul of Balvenie.  
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